Freight Shipping from Baltimore to Philadelphia
Ship freight from Baltimore, MD to Philadelphia, PA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $249-$307, LTL from $264-$499. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
116 mi
Drive Time
2 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$249-$307
LTL Rate Est.
$264-$499
Baltimore to Philadelphia Freight Corridor
Baltimore's Port is the nation's top auto import hub, processing over 800,000 vehicles annually through its ro-ro terminals at Dundalk and Fairfield. Tradepoint Atlantic, the redeveloped Sparrows Point steel mill site, has become a 3,300-acre logistics campus attracting Amazon, FedEx, and Under Armour distribution operations. The I-95 corridor gives carriers direct access to the entire Northeast megalopolis.
Philadelphia commands the Delaware River waterfront with PhilaPort, the fastest-growing port on the East Coast and the nation's top import point for fresh fruit, cocoa beans, and forest products. The metro's pharmaceutical corridor — stretching from the Navy Yard to the western suburbs — houses major operations from GSK, AstraZeneca, and dozens of biotech firms generating high-value temperature-controlled freight. The I-95/I-76/New Jersey Turnpike interchange makes Philadelphia the Northeast's critical freight chokepoint.
The Baltimore-to-Philadelphia corridor spans 116 miles via I-95. This lane connects port logistics and biotech & pharmaceuticals freight from the Baltimore market to pharmaceuticals & biotech and petroleum refining demand in Philadelphia. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Baltimore
Baltimore's economy is driven by port logistics, biotech & pharmaceuticals, automotive import/export, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
coal & bulk minerals
automobiles (re-export)
poultry products
medical devices
steel products
spices & seasonings
What Philadelphia Receives
Philadelphia's pharmaceuticals & biotech, petroleum refining, food processing sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Baltimore.
crude oil
containerized imports
cocoa beans & sugar
vehicles
steel & metals
produce (Latin America)
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Baltimore and Philadelphia, these equipment types best serve this corridor.
Dry Van (FTL)
Ideal for palletized consumer goods, electronics, packaged foods, and general merchandise. Enclosed protection from weather and theft.
$249-$307 estimated for this lane
Refrigerated (Reefer)
Required for temperature-sensitive freight including fresh produce, dairy, frozen foods, pharmaceuticals, and beverages. Maintains precise temperature control throughout transit.
$307-$389 estimated for this lane
Flatbed
Best for steel, lumber, machinery, building materials, and oversized loads that cannot be palletized or loaded through standard dock doors.
$331-$423 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$365-$493 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Baltimore to Philadelphia lane (116 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $249-$307 | 2 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $264-$499 | 4-6 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $377-$522 | 1 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Baltimore and Philadelphia that drive volume on this lane.
Under Armour
McCormick & Company
Amazon BWI Fulfillment
Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES)
Comcast (HQ)
Campbell Soup (Camden)
Shipping Tips for Baltimore to Philadelphia
Baltimore Seasonal Advisory
Auto import volumes peak in spring as dealers stock for summer selling season. Coal exports through Curtis Bay fluctuate with European energy prices and can spike dramatically during cold winters abroad.
Philadelphia Seasonal Advisory
Fresh fruit imports peak January through April (Chilean fruit season). Pharmaceutical shipments maintain steady year-round volume with slight spikes during flu vaccine distribution (August-October). Holiday retail import surge hits September through November.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 116 miles, a single driver can complete this route within a standard driving window. Expedited same-day service is available for time-critical shipments at a premium.
Book Early for Best Rates
Spot market rates fluctuate daily. Booking 3-5 days in advance typically saves 10-15% compared to same-day or next-day freight requests. For recurring shipments, ask about contract rates.
Baltimore to Philadelphia Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Baltimore to Philadelphia?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Baltimore, MD to Philadelphia, PA currently range from $249-$307 for a standard dry van load over the 116-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $264-$499 depending on freight class, weight, and dimensions. Request a custom quote for exact pricing based on your specific shipment details.
How long does freight take from Baltimore to Philadelphia?
Standard FTL transit from Baltimore to Philadelphia is approximately 2 hrs by truck over 116 miles. LTL shipments add 2-4 business days due to terminal transfers. Expedited service with team drivers can reduce FTL transit by up to 40%.
What equipment do I need for Baltimore to Philadelphia freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Baltimore commonly ships coal & bulk minerals, automobiles (re-export), poultry products, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Philadelphia commonly receives crude oil, containerized imports, cocoa beans & sugar. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Philadelphia to Baltimore?
Yes. Philadelphia is a strong outbound market shipping refined petroleum, pharmaceuticals, processed foods. Carriers returning from Philadelphia to Baltimore can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Baltimore-to-Philadelphia lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Baltimore to Philadelphia?
The Baltimore-to-Philadelphia corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Baltimore's top outbound commodities include coal & bulk minerals, automobiles (re-export), poultry products, medical devices, steel products, spices & seasonings. Philadelphia's primary inbound freight includes crude oil, containerized imports, cocoa beans & sugar, vehicles, steel & metals, produce (Latin America). Industries driving this lane include port logistics and biotech & pharmaceuticals from Baltimore and pharmaceuticals & biotech and petroleum refining in Philadelphia.
Get Exact Rates for Baltimore to Philadelphia
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